Finding yourself suddenly in quarantine is a novel, unprecedented experience for most people. Corona also presents companies with an unusual challenge. Accordingly, many are uncertain when it comes to what this means for them personally and how it affects their lives. The most important facts at a glance.
Quarantine requires strict rules
There are different ways of determining suspected corona, but only one way to order them. Usually, a doctor determines the symptoms that indicate the corona virus, either in private practice, in the hospital or – as has happened several times now – in hotels or on cruise ships.
In Germany, every doctor is obliged to report such cases to the responsible health authority, and this ultimately orders the quarantine. As a rule, the focus will initially be on domestic quarantine, unless there is an undoubtedly determined outbreak of a corona infection.
What many don’t know: Most quarantine cases involve the two-week incubation period, not the disease itself. The point is not to make people suspected of having corona a distributor and multiplier of the virus until the possible outbreak of the disease. The motto is: Caution is the mother of the porcelain box.
Quarantine regulations must be taken seriously
Home quarantine means not being allowed to leave your own home. This rule should not be taken lightly: According to paragraph 75 of the Infection Protection Act, violations can result in a prison sentence of up to two years, in severe cases fines.
The Robert Koch Institute leaves no doubt as to what home quarantine means. There is no exception to the rule of not leaving the house, not even to go shopping or just take a breath. Walking the dog is also not allowed. Alternative solutions are required for all of these processes: During the quarantine period, the dog can be taken care of by friends or neighbors who also do the shopping. If no one is found, social workers have to take on these tasks.
In addition, according to the Robert Koch Institute, the health department can also set additional hygiene rules, such as regular hand washing. In addition, the office can prescribe measuring the temperature twice a day and keeping a diary of temperature, symptoms and contact with other people.
If there are several people in the household, there should be as much separation as possible between the suspect and the other household members, especially in the area of hygiene and food. The health office usually contacts the person concerned or another contact person in the household on a daily basis in order to obtain the documented values.
The strictness of the quarantine rules is particularly evident in the food supply. If the helpful neighbors or friends take care of them, they have to put the purchases in front of the closed apartment door and move away before the goods are brought in.
The same can be agreed with most delivery services for pizza, pasta and Co. However, it becomes difficult with delivery services that require confirmation of receipt. Individual, quarantined procedures are required here.
Massive impact on the economy and public life
As an epidemic like Corona continues to spread, one thing becomes particularly clear: Quarantine is always associated with a restriction on freedom, for example freedom of assembly or freedom of movement. It goes without saying that this can have massive economic effects. The trade fair cancellations throughout Germany speak for themselves.
“The profound effects of an epidemic permeate all aspects of everyday life and can turn places into real ghost towns,” says Essen security expert Uwe Gerstenberg. In addition to business closures and hamster purchases, partial or complete shutdown of local transport or stricter controls at airports can occur. Trade fairs and other major events can also be canceled, as can already be observed worldwide.
Special problems arise in the case of a quarantine for commercial businesses. As far as possible, employers can design parts of the tasks as home office jobs. Nevertheless, in many cases there can be massive losses.
Security Expert Mr Uwe Gerstenberg
The central problem in a state of emergency triggered by quarantine is security. “If a city is sealed off, the state imposes a curfew, this will not have no consequences,” explains Uwe Gerstenberg. “Deserted streets are the breeding ground for criminal activity, from looting to assault. Law enforcement is usually difficult due to the confusing situation. ”
For entrepreneurs, the security of orphaned buildings is the Achilles’ heel, which is particularly noticeable in emergencies such as quarantine. “Companies need a range of security services that focus on different areas,” advises the security expert. The measures range from locking technology and access control via alarm systems and emergency call systems to locking services, security services and hardware and software protection – to name just a few examples.
“Corona and the effects of the quarantine are bad enough,” says Uwe Gerstenberg. “At least against the economic consequential damage, there is a lot you can do with an adapted security strategy.”
References:
Infection Protection Act
RKI
Ausnahmezustand: Auswirkungen auf öffentliche und private Sicherheit
Born 1978 in Wetzlar, Germany, he is editor at Euro Leaders. His main topics are politics and finance. Feldhoff studied social and political sciences in Salzburg, Bochum and Utrecht. He held various positions in different media houses and agencies. He lives on the Lower Rhine.